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Your Monthly News & Updates
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U.S. Census PSAP Workshop - October 15
H-GAC is the official liaison for the United States Census Bureau's Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) for the 13-county H-GAC planning region. As part of the PSAP, the U.S. Census Bureau requires re-establishing boundaries based on population growth or loss at the Census Tract and Census Block Group levels with every decennial census count.
H-GAC staff will host a series of workshops to engage stakeholders in open dialog about the process for re-establishing boundaries. The workshops are designed for individuals at the county and local levels who use census data for planning purposes and demographic data users who base research and policy decisions on Census Tracts, Block Groups, or Census Designated Places.
The workshops are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
The first workshop, held on September 12, drew more than 50 attendees. The second workshop will follow up on discussion and examples brought forward at the first workshop and will feature demonstrations of Census Tract and Block Group splits in GIS.
For more information on the workshops, contact
Brooks Andrews at 713-993-4519.
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BIG Fall Meeting - October 23
Topics will include the 2018 annual report, BIG Implementation Plan (I-Plan) revisions, and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) updates.
RSVP is requested. For more information, contact
Steven Johnston at 832-681-2579.
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Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable - October 23
Save the date for H-GAC's next
Bringing Back Main Street Roundtable scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to noon
Tuesday, October 23, at the Humble Civic Center at 8233 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble. Speakers will discuss wayfinding, signage, and downtown branding.
H-GAC hosts quarterly roundtables to help local governments, chambers of commerce, and economic development interests promote the economic revitalization of downtown areas.
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Clean Water Initiative Workshop - October 24
H-GAC's Clean Waters Initiative (CWI) program offers workshops that help local governments, landowners, and residents develop effective strategies to reduce pollution in area waterways.
The series resumes from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 24, at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor.
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Caney Creek TMDL Stakeholder Meeting - November 1
The meeting will consist of presentations, followed by an open house-style discussion period. Participation of local leaders and residents is crucial for implementation of these projects.
Topics for each meeting include:
- presentation of the technical support document for Caney Creek and Linnville Bayou;
- options for developing a bacteria reduction plan for the basin; and
- continued identification of stakeholders to participate on a coordination committee to guide this effort.
Agencies are invited to set up an informational table for stakeholders.
To RVSP to attend or reserve a table, please contact Steven Johnston or 832-681-2579.
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Coastal Stormwater Quality Education Workgroup - November 7
H-GAC will host the first Coastal Stormwater Quality Education Workgroup meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, November 7, at H-GAC Conference Room A, Second Floor.
The purpose of this new workgroup is to bring together education and outreach partners and staff from local governments, water-quality nonprofit organizations, drainage and utility districts, MUDs, HOAs, schools, civic groups, and interested residents to facilitate comprehensive coordination and implementation of stormwater quality education and outreach in coastal communities in Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, and Matagorda counties.
This agenda for this meeting includes visioning and goal setting for 2019, identification and coordination of outreach opportunities, and networking opportunities. For more information about this workgroup and to RSVP, contact
Becki Begley
at 713-993-2410.
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Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable Field Trip - November 8
H-GAC's next Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) Roundtable field trip will be Thursday, November 8, with a tour of three parks in Sugar Land. The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. at Sugar Land Memorial Park and continues to Smart Financial Center Plaza and Brazos River Park. Sugar Land Memorial Park is at 15300 University Blvd., Sugar Land. We will meet at the pavilion near the lake and playground.
Transportation from H-GAC at 8:45 a.m. can be provided for up to 20 registrants.
The PNA Roundtable's mission is to assist in the development of public policy initiatives to expand parks and natural areas in the 13-county H-GAC region for the improved quality of life, habitat, and water quality.
This group meets in a roundtable format, does not consist of a formal board, and is open to anyone interested in participating.
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Oyster Creek TMDL Stakeholder Meetings - November 8
This meeting will consist of presentations, followed by an open house-style discussion period. Participation of local leaders and residents is crucial for implementation of these projects.
Topics for each meeting include:
- presentation of the technical support document for Oyster Creek;
- options for developing a bacteria reduction plan for the basin; and
- identification of stakeholders to participate on a coordination committee to guide this effort.
Agencies are invited to set up an informational table for stakeholders.
To RVSP to attend or reserve a table, please contact Steven Johnston or 832-681-2579.
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Fall Planning Workshop - November 9
Mark your calendars for the annual Fall Planning Workshop from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Friday, November 9, at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor.
This annual half-day workshop series for local governments features presentations on best planning practices for communities.
This year's workshop, Planning at the Edge, invites participants to join in discussion with local cities and counties,especially unincorporated areas, experiencing growth and development. This workshop will focus on common issues, challenges, and potential management solutions.
For more information, e-mail [email protected]
.
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Regional Recycling Roundtable - November 15
The topic will be composting as a recycling strategy. Presentations will include an update on commercial composting, an overview of the master composter program, and local municipal case studies.
This roundtable series provides education/outreach to bring new ideas and knowledge to local governments, solid waste businesses, and interested residents on a wide range of recycling-related topics.
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League Cycling Instructor Training - November 30 - December 2
The League of American Bicyclists is conducting a League Cycling Instructor training at the Houston-Galveston Area Council offices, Conference Room B, Second Floor from Friday, November 30, to Sunday, December 2.
The training certifies instructors to teach Smart Cycling classes to children and adults to help them become more confident, safe, and intelligent cyclists.
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Trash Bash - March 30, 2019
What is
Trash Bash®
? This
video
recognizing Trash Bash
®
's 2018 Texas Environmental Excellence Award illustrates the mission of the event.
Join the thousands of volunteers who gather to clean up trash and debris along area waterways every year. With locations across the Galveston Bay watershed, there's a cleanup location near home, work, or school.
An educational area offers opportunities to learn more about protecting water quality. Participating in Trash Bash® is free. Supplies, t-shirts, lunch, and door prizes are provided. Scouts and students are encouraged to participate at this family-friendly event.
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2018 Our Great Region Award Application Opens October 15
The Our Great Region Awards recognize outstanding projects in the region advancing the goals and strategies identified in the Our Great Region 2040 plan.
The application opens Monday, October 15, and closes Tuesday, November 16. Plans, programs, projects or policies that implemented a strategy of the Our Great Region 2040 plan within the 13-county H-GAC planning region in the past four years are eligible for submission.
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H-GAC Wastewater Assistance Program Helps Homeowners
H-GAC's
Wastewater Assistance Program
offers funding for the repair or replacement of conventional septic or aerobic wastewater systems in the 13-county H-GAC planning region. Homeowners who meet certain income restrictions are eligible.
"I am glad to know
that there are people and organizations that help their citizens and people in these situations" said
a recent recipient of a new system in the Cedar Bayou area. "
You make a huge difference in people's lives."
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Financial Assistance Available Through Air Check Texas
The AirCheck Texas - Drive a Clean Machine Program is designed to help motorists in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris, Galveston, and Montgomery counties comply with vehicle emissions standards.
AirCheck Texas offers financial incentives to repair or replace currently driven vehicles. An applicant will receive both a financial and environmental benefit while contributing to air quality solutions by removing older, vehicles from Texas roadways.
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Recycle Bowl Registration
Keep America Beautiful presents
Recycle Bowl
, a national K-12 competition between schools to invigorate student participation in recycling efforts. The competition runs from
October 15 to November 15,
but
registration
is open now. There are both competitive and non-competitive divisions for this program.
America Recycles Day Event Registration
For almost two decades, communities have come together on November 15 to celebrate
America Recycles Day
. Do you have plans for hosting a special event on that day? Register your event
here
.
Take Care of Texas Video Contest
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) invites students in 6th through 12th grades to enter the annual
Take Care of Texas Video Contest. Student videos should be 30 seconds long and portray positive ways Texans can help keep air and water clean, conserve water and energy, or reduce waste. The contest deadline is
Friday, December 14, and the public will have the opportunity to pick their favorite videos
January 10--24, 2019.
The middle and high school students who win first place will be invited to travel to Austin, along with their teacher, parent, or guardian, to be recognized by the TCEQ and Waste Management of Texas, Inc., at the 2019 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference.
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American Planning Association Texas Chapter State Conference
American Planning Association Texas Chapter State Conference will be October 17-19 at the Galveston Island Convention Center. Plans are underway for the 2018 State Planning Conference and Short Course, including mobile workshops, plenary and luncheon speakers, and social events. he Short Course offers training for Planning commissioners and elected officials. Planning Award recipients will be recognized at the Friday Awards Luncheon. AICP members have the opportunity to receive up to 16 hours of Certification Maintenance credits during the conference.
Gulf of Mexico Alliance Wednesday Webinars
The
Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) is hosting a
Wednesday Webinar series at 2 p.m. the last Wednesday of every other month.
Join to learn about resources and projects from around the Gulf. Preregistration is not required. The final webinar in the series will be
Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) Detection (Kate Hubbard), November 28.
National Association of Development Organizations Conference
Drug Enforcement Agency National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA)
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 27. Check the
DEA website
in early October for area drop-off locations. The collection event provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications and environmental contamination. Law enforcement agencies interested in hosting a collection site should
call the
point of contact
for this area.
STAR Texas Recycling Summit
Registration
is now open for the
State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) Texas Recycling Summit 2018
October 28-31 at Moody Gardens, 7 Hope Boulevard, Galveston.
This is the only state conference dedicated entirely to recycling and waste diversion activities in Texas. It's also an opportunity to network with professionals from the recycling industry to learn, collaborate, share successes, and support recycling efforts.
Tools and Techniques for Resiliency and Strategic Planning
The
Environmental Finance Center Network is hosting
Tools and Techniques for Resiliency and Strategic Planning, an interactive workshop, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 29, at H-GAC Conference Room B, Second Floor. Now more than ever, water utilities must learn to be resilient in the face of an uncertain future. This workshop will provide tools to help identify risks and recognize opportunities to manage and plan for impacts. Techniques will also be shared to gather community and leadership support for resiliency initiatives.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Master Gardeners Composter Training
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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Fort Bend County Master Gardeners Association are hosting a
three-day composter specialist event from 10 a.m. to noon
Decembe
r 5-7
at the AgriLife Extension Office, 1402 Band Road, Suite 100, Rosenberg. This training is sanctioned by the Texas Master Gardener program, and the 24 attendees will receive the title of "Composter Specialist." More information, including an
agenda and registration
, is available online.
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H-GAC, Scenic City Recognize Vibrant, Healthy Communities
H-GAC
and Scenic Texas support vibrant, healthy communities across the state. Partnering with Scenic Texas to form the Scenic City Certification Program has been a natural fit for H-GAC, and cities and towns with strong infrastructure standards prove to be resilient, distinctive cities known for a strong sense of civic pride and well-positioned for economic growth.
Since 2010, the Scenic City Certification Program has certified 75 Texas cities for their commitment to high-quality infrastructure standards for public roadways and public spaces. Any Texas city may apply to receive an objective points-based evaluation and assessment of its existing municipal language, reviewed against the Scenic Model devised by Scenic Texas and its 16 Program Partners.
The Scenic Model is a framework composed of 11 sections (and one Bonus section), of municipal infrastructure standards that impact public roadways and public spaces. Official certification is earned by cities scoring in the upper range of points and can verify three threshold standards: a landscaping/tree planting program, prohibition on new billboards, and regulation of on-premise signs. There are five certification levels: Recognized, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
See the full roster of certified Scenic Cities and review program requirements by exploring www.sceniccitycertification.org. The 2019 application now available, and the 2019 application period is January 1 - March 31, 2019.
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Rural Utilities Service Water & Environmental Programs
Applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are exhausted. Entities wishing to apply for assistance, or that are in need of further information, should contact:
USDA Rural Development State Office
Federal Building, Suite 102
101 SouthMain, Temple, TX 76501
(254) 742-9700/TDD (254) 742-9712
Local water and sewer departments having workforce challenges to recruit and retain qualified workers within our region are encouraged to contact Traci Nolen at 713-993-2468.
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America Walks has opened is annual Community Change Grant to applicants seeking small funds for community improvements that create more active, engaging places. Successful applications should demonstrate how their project will inspire people to walk in and around their communities. Applications are due Friday, November 2. Visit the America Walks website to apply.
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EDA Harvey
Recovery Grants
The U.S. Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Austin regional office received $129,119,000 in supplemental funding for disaster relief and is actively seeking projects to help communities in the Houston-Galveston region recover from Hurricane Harvey.
- Projects require a 20 percent match, which can include in-kind contributions
- Typical projects will range from $1-$2.5 million
- First round of 14-15 applications anticipated to be funded by September 2018, with 1 or 2 subsequent rounds of funding
- Must demonstrate a nexus to Harvey in terms of economic recovery or resilience
- Eligible applicants include governments, nonprofits, and universities
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All content, including links to websites, is for informational purposes only. Users of this content are responsible for checking its accuracy, currency, and suitability.
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Community and Environmental Planning Programs
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Mapping Applications
Looking for interactive applications or GIS data related to the H-GAC Community and Environmental Planning Department? Visit H-GAC's interactive applications web page to see the latest information, including Census, Regional Forecast, and more.
Facebook
Find the latest information about activities around the region at H-GAC's Twitter feed
@hgaccog. H-GAC's water resources program also offers Twitter updates on water quality issues in the region
@HGACwater.
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Banner Photo: In the Richmond Area by Cheryl Mergo.
Would you like us to consider featuring your municipality, program, or regional photo on the C&E Planning Update banner? Just forward
Andrea Tantillo
your picture, along with some information about the subject and the photographer, and you might see it in a future month's newsletter.
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